Portable sheet-metal house.



C. D. PRUDEN.

PORTABLE SHEET METAL HOUSE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1911.

1,016 '3032. Patented Jan; 30, 1912.

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O. D. PRUDEN.

PORTABLE SHEET METAL HOUSE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 19, 1911.

Patented Jan.3(), 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

f] mum V601,

'0.D.PRUDBN PORTABLE SHEET METAL HOUSE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1911.

Patented Jan. 30, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

0. D. PRUDEN.

PORTABLE SHEET METAL HOUSE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1911.

1,016,032. Patented Jan.30, 191.2.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

3 noewto'c 5&1 I \UQMMJ CLARENCE D. PRUDEN, F BALTTMORE, MARYLAND.

PORTABLE SHEET-METAL HOUSE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 30,1912.

Epplic'ation filed July 19, 1911. Serial No. 639,359.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CLARENCE D. PRUDEX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Sheet-Metal Houses, of

' which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved construction of portable sheet-metal houses.

()ne object of the present invention is to provide an improved construction of sectional sheet metal house, the sections of which are united in an improved manner that will enable the erection to be accomplished with facility.

Another object is to provide an improved union between the sections which will permit and care for the expansion and contractions and which will be strong, durable and tightagainstgvind and weather.

A further object is to provide an improved construction whereby the roof will be securely tied down on the wall sections.

\Vith these and other objects in view, the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which.

Flg'lllt. 1, is an exterior perspective view of a sheet-metal house constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2, is a top plan view of the side and end walls and the angle bars which connect the same. Fig. 3,

is a vertical sectional elevation through the front wall and the roof,the section being taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4. Fig. 4, is

' a vertical cross-sectional elevation through the ridge and roof and shows the connection between the latter and the upper edge of the wall sections and it also shows the horizontal bar connection that extends from one-side wall to another. Fig. 5, is a top plan View of the angle bars that connect the upper edges of the side wall sections. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional detail through the lower portion of a wall section and shows the construction employed to anchor the same to the ground. Fig. 7, is a top plan view of a portion of two walls showing one corner union and a union of adjoining sections. Fig. 8, is a vertical sectional detail through a wall section which is provided with a window opening and window. Fig. 9, is a perspective detail of one of the union members. Fig. 10. is a horizontal section through the gable end wall and the ridge supporting blfl kfi n ig. 11, is a horizontal sectional plan view through the window frani'e,

showing the pivot support/therefor.

Referring particularly to Figs. 6 and '7 the numeral, 1, designates the channel bars which are preferably so secured in the ground that one flange, 2, thereof may form a horizontal support to sustain an angle bar, 3. In case a substantial anchorage is desired the lower part of the channel bar may be embedded in a cement or concrete foundation so as to securely anchor the same in place. The angle bars are seated on the flange-2, of thear, 1, so that one flange, 4, thereof will extend vertically, for a purpose presently to be explained. order to connect the adjoining ends of angle bars, such -for example as at the corners where one bar extends at an angle with respectto another, I provide a coupling plate, 5, which I interpose between the channel and angle bars and which I secure in place by means that is carried on the wall sections as will presently be described. The walls of the house are formed of sheet-metal sections of a size that will permit of handling with facility, and said sections may be either plain or corrugated as desired. In the present instance the sections, 6, are provided with vertical corrugations, 7, which serve to both ornament as well as stiflen the sections. The opposite vertical edge of each wall section is formed into a vertical outward roll or tube, 8, and while in the present instance these rolls or tubes are of a circular form in cross-section they may readily be of an angular or other shape. Theinner side of each wall section carries a plurality of securing plates, 9, which have a flat portion, 10, that is rigidly secured to the wall near the lower horizontal edge and a threaded stem portion, 11, that projects below said edge, as clearly shown in Fig. 6 of-the drawings. The threaded stem portions, 11, of these securing plates are slightly off-set with respect to the flat portions, 10, so they will set away from the wall sections but project vertically below the same in order that they maybe inserted in suitable perforations in the angle bars, 3, and then projected through registering perforations in the horizontal flange, 2, of the channel bars. The lower projecting ends of the threaded stems are then secured to the channel bars by means of nuts, 12. From the foregoin explanation it Will be seen that the securing plates,

9, not only serve to hold the lower edge of the wall section in place but also serve to secure the wall sections and angle bar to the channel bar.

By referring" to Fig. 7, it will be seen that when the wall sections are set up vertically on the angle bars, 3,. spaced-apart portions, 13, thereof will seat against the vertical flange l, thereof which projects upwardly at 2 the inner side and by this means the lower edge of the wall section is supported or braced at the inner side to resist pressure against the outer side.

To facilitate the joindcr oi? one wail tion with another l provide a union or pling member. it which is best al Fig. 9 ol? the d: Tu pling nieniher i. has a double'uparallel side hoot: members, 16, and, spectii i est en ding later-a ll one wa: t the central web and the projec" terall vfrom the other said central web. 'lhe upper end doublewallcd web, is provided edge notch, 153, for a purpose present explained, while the lower end of so 15, has a vertical notch, it). This union coupling member, it, serves to eonn adjacent vertical 01,-. ot' the wall so (3, by telescopically sliding the hook i hers, 16, and, 17, res 'ieetively into loch. eugagenuau' with the s uicedepart ro tubes, 8, on the wall sections -the c web, 15, or": the coupling member proje n between and separating said rolls or tubes. l l hen the coupling" member has been pushed down over the rolls or tubes to the angle ba 3, on which its lower end seats, the no it), in said lower end will receive the vein. cal flange, l, of the angle bar and securely lock the same so that it cannot be moved either inwardly or outwardly.

At the corners or angles where two side walls join a corner union, 20, somewhat similar to the couplin 14, is employed. This corner union can best be seen in l 7, where it is shown as having a central double-walled web, 21, and a vertical chan nel member, 22, n'ojecting laterally fr m each oi said walls and having position at. opposite sides of the web. 21. in the operation of this corner union the web, tends downwardly in the rightaugh ot' the angle plates, 3, while each cl member, 22, engage a roll or tube, 53 vertical edges of? the side and end it tions. To reinforce the corner union j ride a :iape saddle plate. at the side winch plate straddles the told o double -w l d web and has lateral ver ti cal l l i l t, that seat up ,ees ot the ad n' tubes, at

" the in" F torc es side. A series of bolts, 25, are preferably passed through the saddle plate and also through the web, 15, thus rigidly locking the same together without exposing the bolts on the exterior.

From the foregoing explanation of the coupling, 14, and the corner union, 20, it will be understood that these tWo members are long and narrow,being of sullieient length to extend from the bottom to the top edge of the wall sections, butlight enough in weight to enable read handling during the assembling operation.

in assembling the wider wall sections may be laid llat on the ground with the ad- 1 jaeent edge rolls or tubes slightly separated but parallel. The coupling member, which LlQSi on the wall sections; by then sliding j the coupling member longitudinally on the P Wu s or tubes the two wall sections may be o (l by the coupling tl'iroughout their on tire length. it the house is not of too great a length all oi. the sections maybe coupled i while lying flat on the ground and then 5 turned vertically and seated on the angle plate, 3, and secured thereon by the nuts,

, at the lower ends of: the securing plates,

.I). On the other hand it the house is to be ot such length that the entire wall cannot j be readily turned vertically, a tow sections i may be coupled and set up, then a few more coupled and set up and as the coupling member, ll, is narrow and light, it may easily be operated to join the several seclions while the latter are in a vertical position.

The upper edge of the wall sections, (9, are also provided with securing plates, :26, having threaded stems, '27, that project above the upper edge, as seen in Fig. 4-, of the drawing, which serve a useful function as will now be described. Prior to ora'fter a wall has been set up I lay a channel plate along the upper edge thereof. This channel plate has an upturned inclined horizontal flange, 29, along its outer side; a central channel, 30, to receive the upper edge of the wall sections and a horizontal flange, 31, along its inner side, as clearly seen in Figs. and Pertorations are provided in the top wall of the central channel so that the stems, 27, of the plates, 26. ma} project therethroiigh. litter the channel plates have been laid over the upper edges of the opposite walls. l put into place a pluralitv V v V 1 we O V I V oi horizontal t -bars, do, w inch are sustalncd by their ends resting upon the horizontal at the inner sides oi. the ehanl plates. 'lhese bars are placed with the risontal part r sting on theilanges. ll, the vertical part, 33, extending up ally, Hit the ends, each bar, 39, is pr ent instance,

being given :1

vided with two stay plates, 34, one end of each of which lies against the vertical part, 33, of the T-bar and the other end of each quarter twist and projected beyond the end of the bar, 32, so as to seat on top of the channel plate and be engaged by the stems, 27, of the securing plates on the upper ends of the wall-sections.

From the foregoing explanation it will be seen that the opposite side walls are tied together at their upper ends by the horizontal bars, 32, and also that the channel plates are also secured down on the wall sections by nuts, 35, that engage the stems of the securing plates, 27.

The end walls of the house are constructed very similarly to the side walls with the exception that provision is made for a door frame and door, which however forms no part of the present invention and therefore is not described in detail, and with the further exception that the channel plate, 36,

at the upper end of the wall in addition to the horizontal flange, 31, at its inner side has an up-turned exterior flange, 37, which forms a horizontal support for the lower edge of the gable-end plates, 38, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. After the end walls of the house have been set up I place T-bars, 39, between the same and the cross-wise bars, 32-, and I connect the outer end of each bar, 39, to an upper edge of an end wall by means of stay plates, 40, which have ends that rest upon the channel plates, 36, and are secured by means of bolts. 41, and nuts, 42. The inner ends of the bars, 39, rest upon the horizontal flange of the bars, 32, and are secured thereonv by tie plates, 43, that have stems, 44, which project through perforations in the vertical part, 33, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 5 respectively. In addition to the end T-bars, 39, I provide a similar bar, 45, which extends horizontally between and connects the bars, 32, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and this bar is also provided with tie-plates, 43. I

From the foregoing explanation it will be seen that the upper edges of the wall sections are all tied together by the T-bars which rest upon the inner horizontal flanges, 31, of the channel plates.

As the end wall of the house, in the presis subjected to the additional strains of large swinging doors, 47, I prefer to provide horizontal stay rods, 48, which extend between and connect channel plates on the said walls.

The roof of the house, see Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, is formed of sheet-metal sections, 50,the.edges of which that are to be joined being provided with out-turned rolls or books, 51. These roof sections are secured together by means of an inner coupling member, 52, which is very similar to that employed in securing the wall sections 1 together in that ithas a central web, 53, and oppositely-turned side books, 54, to engage the hooks on the roof sections. In addition to this coupling member, 52, however, I find it expedient to employ an additional outer coupling member, 55, to entirely embrace the inner member, 52, which outer member seals the joint between the side hooks, 54, which joint is formed by foldingthe inner member so as to produce the central web, 53. It will thus be seen that the outer member effectually seals the joint and at the same time reinforces the inner members and materially stiffens the joint to enable it to withstand the strains brought upon it by the presence of snow on the roof. The upper ends or edges of the roof sections and coupling members fit into a longitudinal recess, 56, in the ridge, 57, and in order to effect a tight joint between the ridge and roof sections I provide a sheetof soft pliable material such as lead which-may be pressed close against the roof sections and close the crevices. By reference to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the gable-end wall, 38, has its upper edge, 58, turned inwardly and then upwardly so that the up-turned portion may be inserted and held between the hook, 54, on one roof section and the sideof the central web, 53. A ridge bracket, 59, has a roll, 60, at one edge and the opposite edge thereof is seated against the gable-end wall to which it is bolted; T he upper horizontal edge of'this bracket extends along a depending flange, 62. on the ridge and is secured thereto by bolts, (53. The lower ends of the roof sections rest upon and project over the channel plates on the side walls, and in order to hold these sections in place and prevent them from slipping downwardly and thus becoming disengaged from the ridge, I provide the under surface of the roofing sections with alongitudinal strip of metal, 64, as shown in Fig. 4. This strip is se cured to the under side of the roof sections by means of rivets, 65,the rivets passing through the strip about midway between the upper and lower longitudinal edges, 66,

and, 67, respectively leaving both of said edges free. By means of this construction the lower edge. .67, of the strip may be inserted in the channel plate beneath the upturned flange. 29. which will lock the sections against downward movement, and the upper edge, 66, of the strip is pressed against the under side of'the roof sections so as to fill and close 'the passages that would otherwise be formed by the corrugations. In order to tie the roof down I provide short horizontal plates, 68, which -extend crosswise of and beneath the ridge and whose ends are secured by bolts, 69, to

the central webs, 53, of the inner coupling members, 52, as shown in Fig. l, A vertical rod, 70, has a hook, '71, at ts upper-send usual channels to receive the horizontal center the be which takes over the horizontal plate, 68, and the lower end of this rod depends to a point immediately over the angle plate, 32, and passes through a perforation in the bracket iron, 72, to which it, is secured by means of nuts, 73. lthe bracket iron, 72, is bolted to the vertical portion, 33, of the angle plate and consequently the root sections are tied to the angle plates.

in forming a Window opening 1 employ a trams that extends about the same and has a head portion at the lower edge of which l provide anoutwardly-projecting overhangint}; flange, T4, and a stop shoulder, T5, at the inner side. iltthe bottom oil the Windowopening llprovide a hollow sill, 7b, which has a channel, 77, at its under side to receive and fit on the Wall. The sash, "ft-l, is of an ordinary hollow constrzn'ztiou and has the the upper cross rail ot the sa l'lsnge, 80, at its inner up 7 the shoulder, 75, on the i the outward swingot the end. The sash is prorioc 1 ii side brackets, 81, each lur n tnat projects through an opening in e 5;, 8353, which is carried by t wall at toe side of the window openin and as these are attached to the sash slisggl: l core the in Ul. the sash may be swung outwardly to client a scrolled opening ot the Window.

Having thus described my invention What l clzllin and desire to secure by letters Fab cut 'iS.

1. In a sheet1uetal house the combination u'itlra base plate having! an upturned ver tical portion, of a pluralit ot spaced-apart wall sections each having a curled vertical edge; a coupling member having a central. Web which projects between the spaced- :ipart curled edges of the wall sections and also having curled edges at each side of the "web to telescopically engage the curled edges on the wall sections.--said coupling member also having a vertical. slot in its lower edge to receive the upturned vertical portion of the base plot; a root sustained above the coupled wall sections and means for securing the root with respect to the wall sections.

ln a sheetunetul house the combination with a plurality of spaced-apart Wall sections each having a longitudinal engaging device on its vertical edges of a coupling member interposed between toe adjacent Wall sections and said coupling member lurvingr a central web which projects he to en the spaced Wall sections end z-zlso liav-- side hook members on i to engage the devices c, all sections; a channel l res of both the Wall SQLUH' union member l'iaving a co edges; :1 saddle plate on opposite sides of the coupling member to secure the channel plate to the wall section; a root and means for securing the root to the channel plate.

3. ln a sheet-metal house the combination with the base'plate, of a plurality of spaced-zipart Wall sections each having an engaging member on its opposite longitudinal edges; securing plates the bottom edge of the Wall sections to engage the said base plate; a couplingiujcuibcr :u'ojecting between and. also coactitig 'wilh' ingmembers on the edges apart wall sections; a channel upper edges of the said W coupling u'iciubc-r; sccurin upper edge ot' the real s the channel plate; a root, 2 lug between the root and 1 e the former in place,

lateon the ions end ut the i engage t, in a sheetcuctul hot with a plurality of Wall s c n, corn pl nit: member interposed h FCUT- uio' the adgncent walls tr": corner ct between the vertical balls and having opt mks to engage the outer or the corner member on the 5 wells; channel plates on the rind means for securing the nu .1,

ncl plates.

5' ln :1 sheet-metal house the combination will: a plurality ct spaced-spur? null scelions each having locking means on its verticul edges, of a coupling nicudwr having a double-Walled central web,- 1 ach \vall projecting; outwardly and llv and having an engaging hook at -h side ol' suid central web to engage the locking means on the edges of adjacent spurcd'upart wall sections; a root, and means for securing; the root with respect to the wall se tions and coupling member.

3. ln s. sheet-metal house the combinationsecuruu the wall sections, chnnmrl plate and angle bars in position; a root and securing the root with respect to the Will E ections.

1''. ln :1 shcetinctal house the coast; with a plurality of wall sec locking menus on its We at coupll-tigz member lllttl'lllJWQl 1 c a the Wall sections to lidtions and coupling me1nbers,-said channel member having a fiange'at its inner side; angle bars having their ends seated on the flanges of the channel members; means for securing the wall sections, channel plate and angle bars in position; a roof; means for securing the roof to the channel plates and gneans for connecting the roof and angle ars.

S. In a sheet-metal house the combination with a plurality of spaced-apart wall sections of a coupling member interposed be-- tween and coupling the sections together; a

channel plate on the upper edges of the wall sections and coupling member; a roof also having spaced-apart plates; a coupling member for coupling the plates of the roof together,said latter coupling member having a web that projects between the spaced roof plates and the lower edge of the said web terminating at the inner edge of the channel plate on the wall sections; angle bars having their ends at the inner side of the said channel plate and also at the lower end of the web of the roof-plate couplingmember,said angle-bar ends, web, channel plate and side walls being rigidly secured together.

9. In a sheet-metal house the combination with a plurality of spaced-apart wall sections of a coupling member interposed between and coupling the sections together; a channel plate on the upper edges of the wall sections and coupling member; a roof also having spaced-apart plates; a coupling member for coupling the plates of the roof together,said latter coupling member having a web that projects between the spaced roof plates and the lower edge of the said web terminating at the inner edge of the channel plate on the wall sections; an outer coupling member embracing the roof-plate coupling and covering the crease in the said latter coupling between the Walls of the said web; angle bars connecting the opposite side walls and having their ends at the inner side of the said channel plate and also at the lower end of the Web of the roof- In testimony whereof I afiix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE D. PRUDEN.

l/Vitnesses:

G. FRED Voo'r, CHARLES B. MANN, Jr. 

